Campgrounds in Idaho

Idaho is often overlooked because of its larger neighbors on all sides, but that might be what makes camping in Idaho so great - you're not as likely to be fighting the crowds as you would in some other places. And it's not as if Idaho doesn't have the kind of great wilderness areas campers love - in fact, most of the state that's north of the capital, Boise, is part of a National or State Forest. We're talking wild here - just the way you like it.

No doubt you've heard of Sun Valley, the country's first real ski resort and arguably still Idaho's most popular vacation destination, but there are other places to consider for a camping vacation. Don't forget that the state's Bitteroot Mountains are really part of the Rocky Mountain range and Coeur d'Alene is the no-longer-best-kept-secret in the north. And though you might more readily associate Yellowstone National Park with Wyoming next door, you might not have realized that the famous geyser, Old Faithful, is actually easier to get to from Idaho.

But if you're looking for something even more off the beaten path, try the Stanley Basin area - it's in the center of the state, and one of Idaho's most popular campground areas. In this area you get the Sawtooth Mountains, the Salmon River and Redfish Lake, along with some of the best hiking you'll find in the state. Of course, the lack of designated campgrounds makes the more remote areas suitable for only the most intrepid hikers and campers - but there are campgrounds nearby that allow easy access into the remote areas for day hikes.

Though Coeur d'Alene isn't the quiet little spot it once was, it's still one of the state's most popular camping areas. The city itself makes civilization only a short drive away (for those who want that), and the area's outdoor activities are plentiful. It might be more crowded than some of the lesser known parts of the state, but you have to remember it's popular for a reason - it's beautiful and there are lots of things to do.

If we tell you that another popular camping area is the Boise Basin, don't fret - we're not talking about pitching a tent in the middle of a parking lot in the Idaho capital. The Boise Basin is named for the Boise River that runs through it, and it's far away from the capital city. The campgrounds in the area are never too far from the small communities which lie along the river, but none of them are big enough to crowd into the wilderness - and besides, the people who live in the Boise Basin are the ones who camp there most regularly.

Idaho's National Parks and National Forests aren't as plentiful as some other states, but they're beautiful and well worth a visit. If you're not staying in one of them, turn them into day-trips. Here are just a few: